Overview & Reviews

Toyota is a Japanese brand whose refined, well-designed vehicles have earned it a great deal of popularity. Toyotas also have a superb record for reliability and durability, which goes a long way toward justifying their typically high purchase prices. For buyers who plan on owning their new vehicles for a long time, the Toyota marque is a very compelling choice.

The automaker's name is a variation of the surname of its founder, Kiichiro Toyoda. After years of research, Toyoda unveiled his first prototype, the A1, in 1935, marking the birth of the Toyota Motor Corporation. The '40s witnessed the launch of additional passenger cars and even a pickup. By the end of the decade, the automaker had produced more than 100,000 vehicles.

Toyota grew bigger in the '50s and expanded its roster with a slew of new small cars. The company also unveiled the utilitarian BJ truck; this vehicle was the precursor to the Land Cruiser. By the end of the decade, Toyota had commenced exports to the U.S. with the establishment of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. The first Toyota to be sold on American shores was the Crown; it held the distinction of being the first Japanese car to be sold Stateside.

The '60s witnessed even more growth for the emerging juggernaut. Toyota introduced the Corolla, an immensely popular model that is still in production today. Vehicles like the home-market Publica, the 2000GT, Hiace and Miniace were also launched. The decade closed with Toyota reporting annual domestic sales of 1 million units; cumulative exports also reached 1 million.

Japanese-market cars like the Carina, Light Ace and Publica Starlet were launched during the 1970s. In the States, the Corolla grew in popularity and the Corona and Mk II models debuted as well. The successful Celica sports coupe was also rolled out and would remain in production for more than 30 years. Toyota's shadow had spread far beyond Japan by this point. The decade's oil crisis had made the manufacturer's compact, fuel-efficient models more popular than ever in the United States. By the time the '70s drew to a close, the automaker had exported more than 10 million vehicles.

Toyota expanded its presence in the U.S. market during the '80s, with the introduction of popular models like the 4Runner SUV and the MR2 sports car. The true high point of these years, though, was the birth of the Toyota Camry sedan. Originally known as the Celica Camry in Japan, the car went on to be a hit of phenomenal proportions, earning kudos as America's best-selling car of the year time and time again.

During the '90s, Toyota rolled out the Avalon full-size sedan and expanded its selection of SUVs with the compact RAV4. By the end of the decade, more than 100 million Toyota vehicles had been produced in Japan. The company also proved itself on the cutting edge of new technology with the rollout of the Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid. The car debuted in Japan in 1997; by 2001, the fuel-sipping sedan had made its way to American highways. Despite the presence of a growing number of competitors in its segment, the Prius continues to boast class-leading sales.

Toyota's current lineup is relatively extensive, including minivans, cars, trucks and SUVs. The brand remains extremely popular among savvy consumers who place a high value on quality and dependability.

User Reviews:

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  AUDIO SYSTEM (POOR QUALITY) - 2013 Toyota Camry
  By Veronica Rivera - April 9 - 11:09 am

  My car is a Camry 2013 SE only has 61,000 miles and the Audio System suddenly stopped working. Is sad having to drive everyday and not been able to listen music... Is an expensive car and this is a common problem... :(

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  I LOVE MY ECHO - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By LOVEMYECHO - April 9 - 10:00 am

  I acturaly have a 2000 Echo that I bought used a year ago and could not be happier with it. I filled up today and got 34 MPG on my last tank of gas. When gas is $1.99 a galon that is a life saver! It is extremly reliable. There are tons of storage compartments inside and a very large trunk. I have driven midsize cars with less space than this little echo because the echo is so well designed.

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  Love My Matrix - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By Susan Weir - April 9 - 10:00 am

  I didnt think I could find a vehicle with SUV space and economy car mileage but the Matrix has both. Its fun to drive, although a little slow to accelerate. Passenger room is generous and the seats fold down easily to fit lots in the back. Im glad I got the 5- speed because my kids cant borrow it!

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  prius delivers - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By berylrb - April 9 - 10:00 am

  The leg room is great! The cruise works and delivers performance, lots of hills for us. It certainly is a screaming 4 cylinder so dont think to push the engine like a V8.

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  2007 Avalon Limited - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By Silas - April 9 - 5:16 am

  Had since March 07, good exterior appearances, am having electical issues, radio comes on sometimes by itself and air conditioning compressor quits running and have to press the air condition switch to turn off and turn it on again to cool. Auto climate in not one to be desired. Road noise is high, car handling is good and get up and go is good and had an issue with the hose on the windshield washer slipping off. The location of car charging needs to be improved. Will not buy another one due to the issues I am experiencing.

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  2000 4Runner SR5 - 2000 Toyota 4Runner
  By bzooty - April 8 - 9:13 pm

  Im happy with my purchase

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  Wheres the quality - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By aday - April 8 - 1:20 pm

  My wife and I purchased an 07 Camry in August of 2006. When its not in the shop, the car runs great. The interior is nice and roomy and the exterior design is beautiful. Unfortunately, we have taken the car to the shop for the sixth time in two years today. It has been in for a rattling sunroof pan within 1 month of purchase; 3 trips for a transmission issue; the radio quit working this summer and needed replaced and now the oil line for the VVTi has ruptured. Per the service manager, Toyota claims that oil from anywhere but Toyota is formulated differently and will erode the line to the point of rupture. The power train warranty will not cover the repair. Next time, I buy Honda!

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  Why not? - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Andrew - April 7 - 6:10 pm

  I admit it, I bought the FJ Cruiser not because of the offroad capability , but because I thought it was cool. After owning it for more than a year and 24,000 miles, it has proven to be an incredible vehicle that will do just about everything and go anywhere. Its not a race car and you cant fly around corners, but its a solid vehicle that doesnt rattle, shake or shimmy like my past 6 GM SUVS have done starting at 30,000 miles. It has a blind spot, get ready to look around it. Thats my only complaint. It gets 22 on the highway which is respectable for a 4x4 SUV. If you are looking for a solid SUV that wont break down all of the time and wont depreciate then look no further.

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  Reliable but not perfect - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By Dave - April 7 - 7:26 am

  Its a jack of all trades vehicle. Plenty of room for the kids. Hauls all my stuff. Decent mileage for commuting. Has a somewhat bouncy ride but its a truck and truth be told does ride better than most other trucks I have ridden in. Has really light and easy steering. Real easy to drive. The transmission is a dream. Smooth shifting and usually grabs just the right gear. You can slap the stick for quick acceleration. Tows my boat very easily.

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  Not What I Expected - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By New England - April 6 - 6:26 pm

  Purchased new in early 07, & was initially disappointed car only got 38-39 mpg. Salesman didnt mention anything about needed to learn to drive differently, or art of hypermiling. No one said this when they were hyping 61 mpgs on sticker. Not right. Terrible in snow or slick surfaces even w/traction control, & even after replacing odd size OEM tires with better tires. Feels like youre "slipping" when braking over potholes. Can be scary. Disappointed had to learn to drive like a lilol granny to feel somewhat safe in this vehicle. Though driving this slowly reaps 52-54 mpg during spring & summer months. Probably a very good car if one lives in hot, dry climate but not New England.